He was an English scholar, theologian and hymnwriter born in London, England, who studied at Trinity College, Cambridge, and was a co-founder of the Cambridge Camden Society, later the Ecclesiological Society, after the High Church Anglicans in the Oxford Movement influenced him.
He took orders in 1841 but due to ill health he could not get a position in England until he became a warden of Sackville College, East Grinstead, London. He would remain in this position for the rest of his life but he was also a co-founder of the Anglican Church’s Society of Saint Margaret for women that dedicated themselves to looking after the sick.
As an author he wrote a commentary on the Psalms and translated many Eastern liturgies but his main claim to fame was as a hymn writer and translating many medieval, Greek and Latin hymns. His best known works include “Good King Wenceslas”, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”, “Good Christian Men, Rejoice” and “A Great and Mighty Wonder”.
He received no honours in England but was awarded a doctorate by Trinity College, Connecticut.
His death was at age 48 on the Festival of the Transfiguration. The Anglican church honour him on the 7th August and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has him remembered on their Calendar of Saints.
Good King Wenceslas recordings
Black Dyke Mills Band
Chandos 4541 (CD: A Christmas Fantasy)
Boston Pops
Philips 416 287 – 2 (CD: We Wish You a Merry Christmas)
Conductor – John Williams
DG 419 414-2 (CD: White Christmas)
Conductor – Arthur Fiedler
RCA 09026-61685-2 (CD: Pops Christmas Party)
Conductor – Arthur Fiedler
Sony SK 48232 (CD: Joy to the World)
Conductor – John Williams
Tanglewood Festival Chorus
Choir of St. John’s, Cambridge
London 421 022 (CD: Christmas Weekend -16 Favourite Carols)
Placido Domingo
A Medley of Christmas Carols
(Joy to the World, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, Good King Wenceslas, O Little town of Bethlehem, The First Noel)
FM 37245 (CD: Christmas with Placido Domingo)
Orchestra – Vienna Symphony Orchestra
Conductor -Lee Holdridge
Kiri te Kanawa
TELDEC 99000 (CD: Christmas with Kiri te Kanawa)
BBC Philharmonic Orchestra
Choir of Lichfield Cathedral
The Choir of Coventry Cathedral
Conductor – R. Stapleton
Vocals – Kiri te Kanawa
Mannheim Steamroller
American Gramaphone Records AG 1984 (CD: Christmas)
Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra
Naxos 8.990005 (CD: Joy to the World)
Conductor – Richard Hayman
Rochester Pops Orchestra
Koch CHD 1531 (CD: Joy to the World – Carols for Orchestra and Chorus)
St Louis Philharmonic Orchestra
Sonari records – 7 55724 00272 3 (CD: Christmas with the Philharmonic)
Conductor – Robert Hart Baker
Sources: